Which of the following practices is discouraged by the Funeral Rule?

The practice of failing to disclose total costs is discouraged by the Funeral Rule because transparency in pricing is a key component of consumer protection in the funeral industry. The Funeral Rule, established by the Federal Trade Commission, mandates that funeral providers furnish consumers with clear, accurate, and comprehensive information about the costs involved in funeral services. This regulation is designed to ensure that consumers can make informed decisions without being subjected to surprise fees or hidden costs.

Disclosing the total costs allows consumers to compare services and prices among different providers, thereby facilitating better decision-making. Failure to do so undermines the intent of the rule, which aims to promote fair competition and protect consumers from deceptive practices. This is why ensuring that all costs are disclosed upfront is crucial and why it is seen as a practice that should be avoided in order to uphold ethical standards in the funeral service industry.